Suspect ID'd in fatal shootings of 2 Palm Springs police officers

Authorities identified the suspect accused of shooting and killing two officers in Palm Springs.

KABC

Sunday, October 09, 2016

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. --

Police have identified the man suspected of fatally shooting two officers and wounding another in Palm Springs, officials announced Sunday.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department identified the suspect as 26-year-old John Felix of Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes said a woman called police at about 12:18 p.m. on Saturday to report that her son was causing a disturbance in the 2700 block of Cypress Road.

According to authorities, four officers arrived at the scene and Felix would not open the door to the home, threatening to shoot the officers.

PHOTOS: 2 officers killed, 1 injured in Palm Springs shooting

Felix suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire, Reyes stated.

A witness at the scene said he heard at least 100 shots erupt and saw three to four officers attempting to revive an officer.

A third officer was also wounded in the shooting. Reyes said the officer was alert and providing investigators with more information on the situation.

Reyes identified the two officers who were killed as Officer Jose Gilbert Vega and Officer Lesley Zerebny.

Vega, 63, was a 35-year veteran at the police department and was due to retire in December. Reyes said he had been working overtime on an unscheduled shift. Vega was also married and a father of eight.

Zerebny, 27, had been with the department for about 18 months. Reyes said she had given birth to a child about four months ago and had just returned to work. She was married to a Riverside County sheriff's deputy.